Heavy floods in Argentine city cause deaths, evacuations

Parts of Bahía Blanca, one of Argentina’s largest cities, are underwater after more than four months’ worth of rain fell in four hours. The city received over 10 inches of rain by midday Friday, with more expected during the afternoon, according to Argentine news. Six people have so far died in the floods, according to local media.

The rising water forced the evacuation of a neonatal care unit in the city’s Penna Hospital. A social media video showed several feet of water inside the hospital while staff carried infants out. Hundreds of people, including 275 in Bahía Blanca and 800 in nearby Cerri, are also reportedly displaced.

How is President Javier Milei’s government responding to the disaster? Army trucks, Buenos Aires police, and firefighters were on the scene Friday, but found operations difficult in the ongoing floods. The Argentine Navy also sent vessels and was readying four amphibious vehicles to assist in rescue efforts. Government officials said representatives from Milei’s administration and additional aid supplies could not arrive until Saturday.